Flexible vacuum sealing adapter for use with food storage systems and methods of use

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates primarily to vacuum preservation of items, and particularly to a flexible vacuum sealing adapter for use with food storage systems, wherein the flexible vacuum sealing adapter includes a flexible container interface, the flexible container interface having circumferential sidewall and an upper sealing wall, the flexible container interface being configured to seal an opening of a storage container, a vacuum port assembly being provided through the flexible container interface, the vacuum port assembly including a vacuum interface and a check valve configured to provide unidirectional flow of air from within the storage container to an exterior environment; and a deflection interface, the deflection interface including one or more input tabs, wherein a force input to the one or more input tabs results in an elastic deformation of the flexible container interface so as to cause an increase in diameter of the circumferential sidewall.

PRIORITY INFORMATION

The present invention claims priority to co-pending U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/336,082 being filed on Jul. 24, 2016, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to storage systems and inparticular vacuum sealing systems designed to evacuate air from acontainer and thus preserve the contents of a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When preserving items, it is well known that the evacuation of air froma storage container typically increases the shelf life and can preservethe freshness of the items stored within the storage container. In manyinstances this is due to the reduction of free oxygen molecules withinthe container which results in a drastic reduction in oxidation rateswith items within the storage container. When storing food, there aremultiple benefits of vacuum packaging, which can include reduction inoxidation rates as discussed above, but also the limiting of growth suchas bacteria or fungi.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been recognized that presently available food preservationcontainers are either too difficult to use or do not provide sufficientlevels of air evacuation or vacuum preservation. As such a need existsto provide an easy to use vacuum sealing adapter cap which can be usedwith one or more readily available food storage containers.

In particular, various embodiments of the invention contemplated hereininclude a flexible vacuum sealing adapter for use with food storagesystems. It will be appreciated that the adapter, as discussed infurther detail herein, will be discussed primarily with respect to arigid container having a threaded opening, similar to a mason jar.However, it will also be appreciated that internal features and shapesof the adapter can be adjusted so as to be used with varying snap fit oralternatively shaped containers.

As such the flexible vacuum sealing adapter includes a flexiblecontainer interface, the flexible container interface havingcircumferential sidewall and an upper sealing wall, the flexiblecontainer interface being configured to seal an opening of a storagecontainer. The flexible vacuum sealing adapter further includes a vacuumport assembly being provided through the flexible container interface,the vacuum port assembly including a vacuum interface and a check valveconfigured to provide unidirectional flow of air from within the storagecontainer to an exterior environment. Additionally, the flexible vacuumsealing adapter also includes a deflection interface, the deflectioninterface including one or more input tabs, wherein a force input to theone or more input tabs results in an elastic deformation of the flexiblecontainer interface so as to cause an increase in diameter of thecircumferential sidewall.

In yet additional embodiments the flexible vacuum sealing adapter canalso include one or more compression tabs configured to operate as thedeflection interface, wherein the deflection interface further comprisesa plurality of push rods operable by inputting a compressive forcebetween one or more opposing compression tabs, wherein the push rodsextend through the vacuum port assembly.

In yet additional embodiments the flexible vacuum sealing adapter canalso include a plurality of tension tabs being located opposite each ofthe compression tabs on each of the plurality of push rods.

In yet additional embodiments the vacuum port assembly can include anexterior portion and an interior portion provided about an aperture inthe upper sealing wall of the flexible container interface, the interiorportion and the exterior portion being operatively connected to oneanother and sandwiching a portion of the upper sealing walltherebetween.

In some such embodiments, the check valve can be provided within theinterior portion of the vacuum port assembly. Additionally, in some suchembodiments the check valve can be biased in the closed position andopen when a negative pressure is applied to the vacuum interface whichis lower than the internal pressure of the container. In some suchembodiments, a spring can be provided between the shield sleeve and asealing flange of the check valve, or alternatively, the sealing flangecan be biased in a closed position by an alternative spring beingprovided between the sealing flange and a valve body.

In some embodiments, and as shown below, the push rods of the deflectioninterface are configured pass through the vacuum port assembly, as suchthe vacuum port assembly can be provided with a shield sleeve below thevacuum port through which the push rods can extend.

In yet additional embodiments the vacuum interface comprises a rimportion being provided as a flexible and self-sealing material.

Additionally, in yet other alternative embodiments, the flexiblecontainer interface can be provided with a sealing lip or threads whichcan be provided about an interior surface of the circumferentialsidewall so as to aid in reliability of sealing.

Also contemplated herein is a method of preserving the contents of acontainer using flexible vacuum sealing adapter, the method includingthe steps of: obtaining a suitable container; placing items to bepreserved within the suitable container; obtaining a flexible vacuumsealing adapter as described in the various embodiments above; inputtinga compressive force into the deflection interface so as to deflect theflexible container interface; placing the flexible container interfaceover an aperture of the suitable container; releasing the compressiveforce after placement of the flexible container interface over theaperture of the suitable container; and applying a vacuum to the vacuuminterface so as to evacuate a substantial portion of air from thesuitable container.

These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive and otherfeatures, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will bereadily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read inconjunction with the following description, appended claims, andaccompanying drawings. Further, it will be appreciated that any of thevarious features, structures, steps, or other aspects discussed hereinare for purposes of illustration only, any of which can be applied inany combination with any such features as discussed in alternativeembodiments, as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description of particularembodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference characters refer to the same partsthroughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily toscale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles ofthe invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top isometric view of a flexible vacuum sealingadapter in accordance with various aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom isometric view of the flexible vacuumsealing adapter of FIG. 1 which further illustrates various aspects ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top isometric view of the flexible vacuum sealingadapter of FIG. 1 in a deflected or deformed state prior to attachmentto a food storage container;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top isometric view of the flexible vacuum sealingadapter of FIG. 1 being installed on a food storage container;

FIGS. 5A-B illustrate various cross-sectional isometric views of theflexible vacuum sealing adapter of FIG. 1 in respective open and closedvalve configurations;

FIGS. 6A-B illustrate various cross-sectional side views of the flexiblevacuum sealing adapter of FIG. 1 in respective open and closed valveconfigurations;

FIGS. 7A-B illustrate various cross-sectional isometric views of a valveassembly of the flexible vacuum sealing adapter of FIG. 1 in respectiveopen and closed valve configurations; and

FIGS. 8A-B illustrate respective cross-sectional side and isometricviews of an alternative valve assembly for use with flexible vacuumsealing adapter of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 9A-B illustrate respective cross-sectional side and isometricviews of yet another alternative valve assembly for use with flexiblevacuum sealing adapter of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, it has been recognized that presently available foodpreservation containers are either too difficult to use or do notprovide sufficient levels of air evacuation or vacuum preservation. Ithas been appreciated that systems typically used for canning requireintensive amounts of labor for heating and processing the contents suchthat a cooling effect allows for some level of vacuum storage. Vacuumbags require the purchase of collapsible bags which do not serve assuitable containers out of which food items can be later consumed, andadd unnecessary expense. Further, typical storage containers, similar toTupperware™, only provide air evacuation in the amount that the lids canbe deflected. As such, a need has been recognized to provide an easy touse vacuum sealing adapter cap which can be used with one or morereadily available and inexpensive food storage containers, such as amason type jar, wherein a vacuum generator or source can be easilyapplied to a valve of the vacuum sealing adapter so as to evacuate agreater quantity of the air contained therein.

As such, and as shown in FIGS. 1-9, the invention contemplated hereinincludes a flexible vacuum sealing adapter 10 being adapted for use withfood storage systems 20. It will be appreciated that adapter 10 asdiscussed herein will be discussed primarily with respect to a rigidcontainer having a threaded opening, similar to a mason jar, however, itwill also be appreciated that internal features and shapes of theadapter can be adjusted so as to be used with varying snap fit oralternatively shaped containers. Such shapes can include rectangular,square, circular, or any other suitable geometric shape.

Additionally, the flexible vacuum sealing adapter 10 can includes aflexible container interface 30. The flexible container interface 30 canbe deflected, as shown in FIG. 3, or otherwise stretched so as to reachover an opening of a container, as shown in FIG. 4. As such, it has beenrecognized that forming the flexible container interface 30 from aresilient material, such as rubber, silicone, etc. can be advantageous.Once the flexible container interface 30 is installed on the container20, a vacuum source 4 can be attached to flexible vacuum sealing adapter10 and air can be evacuated from an interior of the container 20. Itwill be appreciated that by forming the flexible container interface 30from a resilient material, that the vacuum, i.e. the negative pressuregradient, will cause the flexible container interface 30 to sealinglyengage a rim of the container 20. In some embodiments, it can also beadvantageous to provide an additional resilient seal, such as anintegrated or removable gasket, on the interior surface of the flexiblecontainer interface 30 which has desired sealing characteristics, suchas reusability, resilience, required sealing force, etc.

As shown the flexible container interface 30 is configured to bedeformed at least slightly before engaging the aperture of the container20. Depending on material selection and resiliency, it has beenrecognized that a deformation or deflection interface which aids instretching the flexible container interface 30 can be either desirable,or even required for some uses. As such the flexible vacuum sealingadapter 10 as shown, also includes a deflection interface 100 whichincludes one or more input tabs 110. The input tabs 110 are configuredto be squeezed, for example between a thumb and fingers, so as to applya radially compressive force. The radially compressive force can then betransferred to opposing edges of the flexible container interface 30 bya plurality of push rods, 120A or 120B which then transfer thecompressive force to opposing tension tabs 130 affixed about acircumferential sidewall 36 of the flexible container interface 30 so asto effectuate the necessary degree of deflection or elastic deformation.It has been recognized that human users typically have an easier timeapplying compressive forces than tensile forces, i.e. compressing thefingers rather than extending. As such this deflection interface 100allows for a compressive input but a tensile output deflection force.

It will be further appreciated that as shown, the push rods 120A-B eachpass through a portion of the vacuum port assembly 200. It will beappreciated that when evacuating air from the container 20, that if leftopen, particles from the container could become entrained in theevacuating air and could eventually cause the push rods to jam orotherwise inoperable. As such a shield sleeve 220 can be providedthrough the vacuum port assembly and thus provide a clean path throughwhich the push rods 120A-B can easily travel. Additionally, the shieldsleeve 220 can be hermetically sealed from the interior of the vacuumport assembly 200 such that air will not leak through the vacuum portassembly 200 when a vacuum is applied thereto. As such, it will beappreciated that the interface between the push rods 120A-B and thewalls of the vacuum port assembly 200 through which the push rods extendcould otherwise develop small apertures, particularly through repeateduse, through which air would likely eventually leak under a pressuregradient.

As discussed above, once the flexible container interface 30 isdeflected sufficiently, it can be placed over the mouth of a container20. At this point, as discussed above, a vacuum source 4 can be attachedto a vacuum port assembly 200 being provided through the flexiblecontainer interface 30 so as to evacuate the air within the container20.

The vacuum port assembly 200 can include a vacuum interface 210 and acheck valve 230 which together are configured to provide unidirectionalflow of air from within the storage container to an exterior environmentand seals upon release of the vacuum source 4 so as to maintain aninterior vacuum.

In yet additional embodiments the vacuum port assembly 200 can includean exterior portion 260 and an interior portion 240 provided about anaperture in the upper sealing wall 38 of the flexible containerinterface 30, the interior portion 240 and the exterior portion 260 canbe operatively connected to one another so as to sandwich a portion ofthe upper sealing wall 38 therebetween. As shown a series of rivets orrods 150 can be provided so as to provide a compressive connectionbetween the exterior portion 260 and the interior portion 240. It willbe appreciated that in some instances and with certain materials theinterior and exterior portions can be adhered, overmolded, or otherwiseaffixed directly to the flexible container interface 30 as appreciatedby those having skill in the art.

As discussed briefly above and as particularly shown in FIGS. 2, and5-7, check valve 230 can be provided within the interior portion 240 ofthe vacuum port assembly 200. The check valve can include slidingportion 232 and a stationary valve body portion 236. The sliding portioncan further include a retention flange 234 and a sealing flange 238,wherein the sliding portion 232 can slide axially so as to either openor close a plurality of passages 244 provided through the valve bodyportion 236.

In various embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 8-9, the check valve 230can be configures so as to be biased in the closed position, wherein thevalve only opens when a negative pressure is applied to the vacuuminterface 200 which is lower than the internal pressure of thecontainer. In some such embodiments, and as particularly shown in FIGS.8A-B, a spring 248 can be provided between the shield sleeve 220 and thesealing flange 238 of the check valve 230. In this manner, the shieldsleeve 220 can be structurally sound and be affixed to opposingcircumferential edges of the vacuum port so as to be sufficiently robustso as to accept the load applied by the spring in order to close thevalve. Alternatively, the sealing flange 238 can be biased in a closedposition by an alternative spring 249 being provided between the sealingsleeve 220 and the valve body 236. In various such embodiments, thespring strength or spring coefficient can be adjusted or otherwisevaried so as to also vary the negative pressure required to open thecheck valve 230.

In yet additional embodiments the vacuum interface can be provided witha sealing rim portion 210 which can be provided as a flexible andself-sealing material.

Additionally, as discussed above, the flexible container interface 30can be provided with a sealing lip or threads 34 which can be providedabout an interior surface of the circumferential sidewall 36 so as toaid in reliability of sealing. The lip or threads 34 can be shaped as aprotrusion or any other desired shape so as to interface with anexterior surface of a given container 20, which may be provided withvarious threads, or alternatively have protrusions or recessesconfigured for various interference or snap fit designs.

Also contemplated herein is a method of preserving the contents of acontainer using flexible vacuum sealing adapter, the method includingthe steps of: obtaining a suitable container; placing items to bepreserved within the suitable container; obtaining a flexible vacuumsealing adapter as described in the various embodiments above; inputtinga compressive force into the deflection interface so as to deflect theflexible container interface; placing the flexible container interfaceover an aperture of the suitable container; releasing the compressiveforce after placement of the flexible container interface over theaperture of the suitable container; and applying a vacuum to the vacuuminterface so as to evacuate a substantial portion of air from thesuitable container.

It has been further recognized that the flexible container interface 30can be constructed from materials that are both hermetic and adequatelyflexible e.g. rubber and variants thereof, silicone and variantsthereof, plastic and variants thereof, latex and variants thereof, etc.

The flexible container interface 30, while shown herein as a singlecommon material, can also be constructed from suitable materials beinglayered together so as to achieve a desired elastic property inconjunction with desired sealing properties. Such material can beoverlaid, overmolded, bonded, chemically welded, or combined in anysuitable means.

Additionally, as discussed above the vacuum port 210 can also beconstructed from varying materials with varying elastic properties orhermetic properties including rigid or semi-rigid supporting structureswith flexible contact interfaces. Similarly, these materials can also beoverlaid, overmolded, bonded, chemically welded, or combined in anysuitable means. Examples include rubber, silicone, plastic, latex,metal, metal alloys, etc.

While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it isto be understood by those skilled in the art that this description ismade only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope ofthe invention. Other embodiments which are not discussed herein butwhich constitute obvious variants are therefore contemplated herein andas such fall within the scope of the present invention in addition tothe exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. It will be furtherappreciated that while the various embodiments have been discussedseparately herein, that each of the embodiments can be modified so as toincorporate features or options of any of the alternative embodimentswithout departing from the inventive concept contained herein.Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art arethus considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

1. A flexible vacuum sealing adapter for use with food storage systems,the flexible vacuum sealing adapter comprising: a flexible containerinterface, the flexible container interface having circumferentialsidewall and an upper sealing wall, the flexible container interfacebeing configured to seal an opening of a storage container; a vacuumport assembly being provided through the flexible container interface,the vacuum port assembly including a vacuum interface and a check valveconfigured to provide unidirectional flow of air from within the storagecontainer to an exterior environment; and a deflection interface, thedeflection interface including one or more input tabs, wherein a forceinput to the one or more input tabs results in an elastic deformation ofthe flexible container interface so as to cause an increase in diameterof the circumferential sidewall.
 2. The flexible vacuum sealing adapterof claim 1, wherein the one or more input tabs of the deflectioninterface are provided as compression tabs, wherein the deflectioninterface further comprises a plurality of push rods operable byinputting a compressive force between one or more opposing compressiontabs, wherein the push rods extend through the vacuum port assembly. 3.The flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 2, wherein the deflectioninterface further comprises a plurality of tension tabs being locatedopposite each of the compression tabs on each of the plurality of pushrods.
 4. The flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 1, wherein thevacuum port assembly includes an exterior portion and an interiorportion provided about an aperture in the upper sealing wall of theflexible container interface, the interior portion and the exteriorportion being operatively connected to one another and sandwiching aportion of the upper sealing wall therebetween.
 5. The flexible vacuumsealing adapter of claim 4, wherein the check valve is provided withinthe interior portion of the vacuum port assembly.
 6. The flexible vacuumsealing adapter of claim 1, wherein the check valve is biased in theclosed position and open when a negative pressure is applied to thevacuum interface which is lower than the internal pressure of thecontainer.
 7. The flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 5, whereinthe check valve is biased in the closed position and open when anegative pressure is applied to the vacuum interface which is lower thanthe internal pressure of the container.
 8. The flexible vacuum sealingadapter of claim 2, wherein the push rods pass through a shield sleevewithin the vacuum port assembly.
 9. The flexible vacuum sealing adapterof claim 8, further comprising a spring between the shield sleeve and asealing flange of the check valve.
 10. The flexible vacuum sealingadapter of claim 6, wherein the check valve further comprises a sealingflange, and wherein the sealing flange is biased in a closed position bya spring being provided between the sealing flange and a valve body. 11.The flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 1, wherein the vacuuminterface comprises a rim portion being provided as a flexible materialand self-sealing material.
 12. The flexible vacuum sealing adapter ofclaim 1, wherein the flexible container interface includes a sealing lipprovided about an interior surface of the circumferential sidewall. 13.A method of preserving the contents of a container using flexible vacuumsealing adapter, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining asuitable container; placing items to be preserved within the suitablecontainer; obtaining a flexible vacuum sealing adapter comprising: aflexible container interface, the flexible container interface havingcircumferential sidewall and an upper sealing wall, the flexiblecontainer interface being configured to seal an opening of a storagecontainer; a vacuum port assembly being provided through the flexiblecontainer interface, the vacuum port assembly including a vacuuminterface and a check valve configured to provide unidirectional flow ofair from within the storage container to an exterior environment; and adeflection interface, the deflection interface including one or moreinput tabs, wherein a force input to the one or more input tabs resultsin an elastic deformation of the flexible container interface so as tocause an increase in diameter of the circumferential sidewall; inputtinga compressive force into the deflection interface so as to deflect theflexible container interface; placing the flexible container interfaceover an aperture of the suitable container; releasing the compressiveforce after placement of the flexible container interface over theaperture of the suitable container; and applying a vacuum to the vacuuminterface so as to evacuate a portion of air from the suitablecontainer.
 14. The method of preserving the contents of a containerusing flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 12, wherein the one ormore input tabs of the deflection interface are provided as compressiontabs, wherein the deflection interface further comprises a plurality ofpush rods operable by inputting a compressive force between one or moreopposing compression tabs, wherein the push rods extend through thevacuum port assembly.
 15. The method of preserving the contents of acontainer using flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 12, wherein thevacuum port assembly includes an exterior portion and an interiorportion provided about an aperture in the upper sealing wall of theflexible container interface, the interior portion and the exteriorportion being operatively connected to one another and sandwiching aportion of the upper sealing wall therebetween.
 16. The method ofpreserving the contents of a container using flexible vacuum sealingadapter of claim 15, wherein the check valve is provided within theinterior portion of the vacuum port assembly.
 17. The method ofpreserving the contents of a container using flexible vacuum sealingadapter of claim 12, wherein the check valve is biased in the closedposition and open when a negative pressure is applied to the vacuuminterface which is lower than the internal pressure of the container.18. The method of preserving the contents of a container using flexiblevacuum sealing adapter of claim 16, wherein the check valve is biased inthe closed position and open when a negative pressure is applied to thevacuum interface which is lower than the internal pressure of thecontainer.
 19. The method of preserving the contents of a containerusing flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 14, wherein the push rodspass through a shield sleeve within the vacuum port assembly.
 20. Aflexible vacuum sealing adapter for use with food storage systems, theflexible vacuum sealing adapter comprising: a flexible containerinterface, the flexible container interface having circumferentialsidewall and an upper sealing wall, the flexible container interfacebeing configured to seal an opening of a storage container, wherein theflexible container interface includes a sealing lip provided about aninterior surface of the circumferential sidewall; a vacuum port assemblybeing provided through the flexible container interface, the vacuum portassembly including a vacuum interface and a check valve configured toprovide unidirectional flow of air from within the storage container toan exterior environment, wherein the vacuum port assembly furthercomprises: an exterior portion; and an interior portion provided aboutan aperture in the upper sealing wall of the flexible containerinterface, the interior portion and the exterior portion beingoperatively connected to one another and sandwiching a portion of theupper sealing wall therebetween, wherein the check valve is providedwithin the interior portion of the vacuum port assembly; and adeflection interface, the deflection interface further comprising: aplurality of compression tabs; a plurality of push rods operable byinputting a compressive force between one or more opposing compressiontabs, wherein the push rods extend through the vacuum port assembly,wherein a force input to one or more opposing compression tabs resultsin an elastic deformation of the flexible container interface so as tocause an increase in diameter of the circumferential sidewall.